A NEW technical advisor has been appointed to deal with land management issues across the region.

Laurie Norris, who has been a National Farmers' Union (NFU) regional policy advisor since 1999, will take on her new role next month.

She will be responsible for issues including access, waste management, environmental legislation and nitrate vulnerable zones for the whole of the North of England, including North Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumberland.

She will be replacing David Collier, who has held the position for the past 13 years and has been promoted to NFU regional director for the West Midlands.

Miss Norris said: "Issues such as open access will be at the forefront of the agenda in the coming years, particularly as the Countryside Agency continues to roll out its provisional and draft maps covering the northern region.

"We will be continuing to oppose the introduction of pesticides tax by encouraging members to implement the pesticides voluntary initiative on their farms."

Miss Norris grew up on her family's mixed farm in Sowerby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire. She graduated with an environmental science degree and is Basics and Facts registered - a professional arable qualification.

She said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a policy advisor and I am sure that the skills, experience and knowledge gained from working with farmers will stand me in good stead for my new position."